The House just passed the FY19 Defense funding bill on a bipartisan vote of 359-49.
Learn more about the bill here --> https://goo.gl/fNtd1H
National Veterans of Foreign Wars Honors Frelinghuysen
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) has been honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the 2018 VFW Congressional Award. The award is presented annually to one sitting member of the House or Senate that the VFW deems to have “made the most significant contribution towards veterans, service members, their families and the nation” over the past year.
In announcing the award, VFW Commander-in...-Chief Keith E. Harmon said Frelinghuysen’s “work and leadership are the key difference toward ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs provides the quality and timely access to care and benefits America’s veterans both earned and deserve.” He went to commend Frelinghuysen for “ensuring the members of our Armed Forces are properly trained and equipped, and that their families are properly cared for.”
“I have had the honor of representing the people of New Jersey in the House of Representatives for twenty-three years,” said Frelinghuysen, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. “Among my highest priorities – from my first day in office – has been to support our Armed Forces, and their families, and also the veterans who served before them, especially those who have returned home with injuries – seen and unseen. They deserve a quality veterans’ health care system and I work every day to see that they get it!”
“I thank the VFW for recognizing my commitment to those who serve!”
Frelinghuysen, an Army veteran of the Vietnam war, is a life member of the VFW and a member of Post 3401 in Morris Plains. He has previously been honored by the New Jersey VFW, the American Legion, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, National Guard, the Association of the United States Army and the National Defense Industrial Association.
House Passes Frelinghuysen Bill to Fund Government Operations, Extend Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Suspend Medical Device Tax
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation (H.J.Res 25) introduced by Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) to maintain current funding for federal operations and prevent a government shutdown. This fourth Continuing Resolution (CR) is a stop-gap measure that will extend government fund...ing through February 16, 2018. If the Senate does not pass this legislation, existing funding will run out on Friday, January 19, 2018.
In addition to continuing essential government funding, the bill extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years and suspends for two years the imposition of the medical device excise tax.
“It is critically important that we provide resources for our children’s health. Families across the nation rely on CHIP - the Children’s Health Program - to help sick children and support pregnant mothers to ensure healthy and happy futures. This legislation extends this important program for another six years.”
“The 2.3 percent tax on medical devices which took effect January 1 may sound minimal, but it adds to the costs that every hospital, rehabilitation facility and doctor must charge patients,” said Frelinghuysen. “Many people depend on medical devices to keep them alive or living independently every day. It was one of the most punitive taxes enacted through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).”
H.J. Res 25 also includes funding to advance U.S. missile defense systems in light of the developing threat from North Korea.
“This Continuing Resolution is needed to provide government funding and avoid a shutdown of essential services to the American people. My hope is that House and Senate Leadership and the White House can reach consensus quickly on a budget agreement, so that essential Appropriations work on all 12 government funding bills can be completed,” Frelinghuysen said. “We are now four months into the 2018 Fiscal Year, and Congress must act as soon as possible to ensure that proper, year-long funding for our national defense and other critical federal programs is enacted.”
The final vote on H.J. Res. 25 (the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 195) was 230-197.
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Joined Daytop NJ for their flag raising in #Mendham earlier today! Continuing efforts to help those suffering from substance abuse!
